BOARD OF DEPUTIES REPORT

By David Montague & Michael Sharron

For the Board as for the Jewish community it has been a year of anxiety and sadness interspersed with bright moments of celebration.

Following the appalling events of 11 September 2001, Board President Jo Wagerman wrote to the American ambassador expressing the Jewish community'’ deepest sympathy for those who lost family and friends in the atrocities. The Board also wrote an open letter to the Israeli press expressing solidarity of British Jewry with the Jewish State.

In October 2001, the \Board moved to new offices in Bloomsbury Square. In the same month the President of the Board attended a deputation at the House of Commons to welcome the new Chair of the Labour Friends of Israel, Jim Murphy MP.

In January 2002, the Board criticised as tasteless and insensitive the decision to use Nazi style dress at a launch of a new bar in Edinburgh.

The Right Honourable William Hague MP was guest of honour at The Board’s 240^th anniversary at a gala dinner in February. Also in that month, Barbara Roche MP addressed the Board on the problems associated with immigration and Asylum.

In April Zvi Schtauber, Israeli Ambassador addressed the Board. That month too the Board wrote to the Queen expressing the Jewish community’s sorrow and deepest sympathy on the death of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Jo Wagerman was among congregants at the funeral service in Westminster Abbey while other Board representatives attended the special community memorial service at Bevis Marks Synagogue.

The Board and the Anglo Jewish Association were among 28 organisations given the honour to present a loyal Address to the Queen to mark her Golden Jubilee.

Also of great interest, the Board together with the CST has submitted evidence to an enquiry on to the War Against Terrorism, which is being conducted by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs committee. The submission focuses on the threat to Jews in Britain posed by Islamist organisations.

The Board has also met with the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith QC, to discuss the prosecution of individuals over publication of anti-Semitic material. He gave assurances that prosecution would be vigorously pursued where evidence of racial incitement existed.

The Board has had a full and interesting year. This is only a selection of the Board’s news. For updated press releases visit the Board’s website: www.bord.org.uk.